Saturday, March 2
Fresno, CA
6:05 PM
Fresno State
vs
UNLV
Photo by: Keith Kountz/Fresno State
Diamond 'Dogs open Mountain West play hosting UNLV [March 1-3]
2/28/2019 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
Winners of five of its first six games, the Fresno State baseball team opens Mountain West play this weekend hosting UNLV for a three-game series at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
FRESNO, Calif. - Winners of five of its first six games, the Fresno State baseball team opens Mountain West play this weekend hosting UNLV for a three-game series at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
Games 7-9:Â UNLV (4-5, 0-0 MW) at Fresno State (5-1, 0-0 MW)
First Pitch: March 1-3 - Fri: 6:05 p.m., Sat: 6:05 p.m., Sun: 1:05 p.m.
Stadium:Â Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium
Surface:Â Grass
Dimensions:Â 330 (LF), 400 (CF), 330 (RF)
All-Time Series:Â Fresno State leads 54-38
Last Meeting:Â Fresno State defeated UNLV, 9-8 (May 19, 2018 in Fresno, Calif.)
Radio:Â AM 940 ESPN
Play-by-play:Â Paul Loeffler
Video:Â Mountain West Network/Stadium
Live Stats:Â Sidearm
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateBSB
Pitching Probables: Fresno State vs. UNLV
Friday: Jr. RHP Ryan Jensen (2-0, 2.45 ERA) vs. Jr. RHP Cameron Jabara (1-0, 0.00)
Saturday:  So. LHP Nikoh Mitchell (1-0, 4.82) vs. Jr. RHP Bradley Spooner (0-0, 5.79)
Sunday: Jr. RHP Davis Moore (1-0, 4.09) vs. RJr. RHP Chase Maddux (0-0, 2.79)
Promotions
Friday: Clubs and Organizations Night
• Fresno State begins its seventh season of Mountain West play this weekend hosting UNLV in a three-game series at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
• The Diamond 'Dogs are off to a 5-1 start to the season after completing a perfect 3-0 run at the 2019 Tony Gwynn Legacy Tournament defeating Kansas State, No. 25 Cal State Fullerton and Missouri State.
• The only team in the eight-team Tony Gwynn Legacy field to win all three of its games, the Bulldogs' 5-1 start after six games is the third-best start under head coach Mike Batesole, only surpassed by 6-0 starts in 2011 & 2016.
• The 'Dogs lead the overall series over UNLV, 54-38 and have won seven of its last nine games over the Rebels in Fresno.
• The Bulldogs are 5-1 in Mountain West-opening series winning five in a row and are 4-2 in MW opening games.
• Senior second baseman Nolan Dempsey leads the team with a .409 average and has a team-leading nine hits, eight RBI, two sacrifice bunts and 13 total bases.
Fresno State vs. UNLV - The Series
• The Fresno State/UNLV series dates back to 1977 with the Bulldogs leading, 54-38.
• As MW foes, the Bulldogs lead 19-14 despite the Rebels winning four of six games over the 'Dogs in 2018.
• The 'Dogs are 9-6 vs. UNLV in Fresno since moving to the MW in 2013. The Bulldogs ended the regular season in 2018 winning two of three games at home, including a walk-off 9-8 win in the regular season finale. FS won one game apiece in '13 & '14, swept a three-game series in '15 and won two of three games in '16. The teams did not meet in Fresno in '17.
A look at the UNLV Rebels                          Â
UNLV enters this weekend's Mountain West-opening series with a 4-5 overall record starting off with a 3-3 mark at home and a 1-2 record on the road. The Rebels are fresh off a tough 16-7 loss to Utah at home on Tuesday afternoon as the Rebels took a 7-6 lead into the top of the ninth only to give up an astounding 10 runs to the Utes in the frame to fall under .500 for the first time this season.
The Rebels, who were picked to finish fourth in the MW, got off to a 20-3 start to 2018 only to finish the season with a 35-24 mark and a fourth place spot in the MW.
Led offensively by junior shortstop Bryson Stott, a Preseason All-American, the Las Vegas native leads the Rebels' offensively hitting .424 on the season and sits atop the team in hits (14), doubles (4), triples (2), home runs (4), RBI (9), total bases (34), slugging percentage (1.030), walks (10) and slugging percentage (.558). His 34 total bases enters Thursday as the third-most in the nation.
On the mound, junior right-hander Cameron Jabara has been sensational in a pair of starts tossing 13.0 shutout innings only allowing 12 hits, all singles, while giving up one unearned run, three walks and 10 strikeouts.Â
With Jabara getting the Friday night starting nod, junior Bradley Spooner will start on Saturday while redshirt junior Chase Maddux will start on Sunday. Both right-handers have a pair of no-decisions and have combined for 18 strikeouts over 19.0 innings.
Redshirt senior Jackson Cofer is tied for the MW lead and ranks third in the nation with three saves and picked up a win in the Rebels' 11-10 win over Seattle in 10 innings, while taking the loss to the Utes on Tuesday.
2019 MOUNTAIN WEST BASEBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Rank    Team (1st-place votes)   Points
1. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â San Diego State (4)Â Â Â Â Â Â 32
2.        Nevada (2)             29
3.        Fresno State (1)         28
4.        UNLV                         Â     24
5.        Air Force               14
6.        New Mexico            12
7.        San José State          8
'Dogs at home against UNLV
The Bulldogs will host UNLV to open Mountain West play after finishing the 2018 season at home against the Rebels. The 'Dogs have won seven of its last nine games in Fresno over UNLV and are 9-6 at home against the Rebels since moving to the MW.
April 5-7, 2013 - 1-2 [L, 9-8; L, 9-8; W, 5-3]
April 4-6, 2014 - 1-2 [L, 6-0; W, 2-0; L, 7-0]
Feb. 27 - March 1. 2015 - 3-0 [W, 10-5; W, 2-1; W, 4-0]
March 18-20. 2016 - 2-1 [L, 4-2; W, 6-2; W, 4-3]
May 17-19, 2018 - 2-1 [W, 6-1; L, 7-3; W, 9-8]
Bulldogs in Mountain West Openers
Now in their seventh year in the Mountain West, Fresno State is 4-2 in MW openers defeating San Diego State in 2013 and 2016, Nevada in 2014 and 2017 while falling on the road to UNLV last season and the Nevada Wolf Pack in 2015.
Â
• 2013 - vs. San Diego State - W, 1-0
• 2014 - vs. Nevada - W, 4-1
• 2015 - at Nevada - L, 9-8 (10)
• 2016 - at San Diego State - W, 3-2 (10)
• 2017- vs. Nevada - W, 3-2
• 2018 - at UNLV - L, 7-6
Fresno State in Mountain West home-opening series
The Bulldogs are also 5-1 in Mountain West home-opening series sweeping Nevada in 2014 & UNLV in 2015 before winning two of three against the Rebels, Nevada and New Mexico in each of the last three seasons.Â
• 2013 - vs. San Diego State (W, 1-0, L, 11-6, L, 4-2)
• 2014 - vs. Nevada (W, 4-1, W, 5-3, W, 11-9)
• 2015 - vs. UNLV (W, 10-5, W, 2-1, W, 4-0)
• 2016 - vs. UNLV (L, 4-2, W, 6-2, W, 4-3)
• 2017 - vs. Nevada (W, 3-2, L, 8-10, W, 9-5)
• 2018 - vs. New Mexico (L, 4-5, W, 5-1, W, 5-4)
Bulldogs knock off first ranked opponent since 2016
With the Diamond 'Dogs 5-2 win over No. 25 Cal State Fullerton last Saturday at the Tony Gwynn Legacy, it was the 'Dogs first win over a ranked opponent since knocking off then-No. 16 Long Beach State on March 29, 2016.
Dempsey off to a hot start                    Â
Now in his second season as a Bulldog, senior second baseman Nolan Dempsey has gotten off to a hot start sitting fifth in the Mountain West with a .409 average leading the team in hits (9), RBI (8), total bases (13) and sacrifice bunts (2).
New 'Dogs in action            Â
Seven Bulldogs have their debuts so far this season after freshman right-handed pitcher Kyle Pruhsmeier and redshirt freshman left-hander Robbie Peters each made their debuts in the 'Dogs 11-3 win over Kansas State last Friday.
Redshirt freshman right-hander Kevin Larson and outfielder Dylan Johnson along with three true freshman, infielders Ryan Higgins & Jeff Jamison and outfielder EJ Andrews, Jr. have all seen action with Larson notching a win and Andrews got his first career start against the Titans on Saturday.
Â
'Dogs receiving votes in the NCBWA Poll
The Bulldogs are receiving votes in the latest NCBWA poll released on Monday for the first time this season after its 5-1 start to the season.
Jensen reaches win total from 2018 after a pair of starts
Friday night starter Ryan Jensen has gotten off to a strong start to the season with a 2-0 record and a 2.45 ERA tossing 11.0 innings only allowing three earned runs and has struck out eight while holding opponents to a .220 average from the plate.
Batesole reaches 800 career win milestone           Â
Head coach Mike Batesole reached career win number 800 on Feb. 16 in the Bulldogs' 6-3 season-opening win over Utah Valley at Bob Bennett Stadium. Beginning his 17th season at the helm of the Bulldogs, Batesole has won 545 games at Fresno State and 256 at CSUN from 1996-2002.Â
In his career, Batesole has won at least 30 games in 19 of his 23 years as a Division I head coach and in 13 of his 16 seasons at Fresno State.
Ashford a hard one to strike out                 Â
Senior center fielder Zach Ashford has been one of the toughest Bulldogs to strike out over his four-year career. In 513 career at-bats, Ashford has only been sent down on strikes 76 times, or 14.8 percent, of the time.
Up next
Fresno State hits the road for a non-conference series at SEC foe Tennessee (9-0) next Friday through Sunday.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:Â
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateBSB
Instagram:Â fresnostateathletics
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Games 7-9:Â UNLV (4-5, 0-0 MW) at Fresno State (5-1, 0-0 MW)
First Pitch: March 1-3 - Fri: 6:05 p.m., Sat: 6:05 p.m., Sun: 1:05 p.m.
Stadium:Â Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium
Surface:Â Grass
Dimensions:Â 330 (LF), 400 (CF), 330 (RF)
All-Time Series:Â Fresno State leads 54-38
Last Meeting:Â Fresno State defeated UNLV, 9-8 (May 19, 2018 in Fresno, Calif.)
Radio:Â AM 940 ESPN
Play-by-play:Â Paul Loeffler
Video:Â Mountain West Network/Stadium
Live Stats:Â Sidearm
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateBSB
Pitching Probables: Fresno State vs. UNLV
Friday: Jr. RHP Ryan Jensen (2-0, 2.45 ERA) vs. Jr. RHP Cameron Jabara (1-0, 0.00)
Saturday:  So. LHP Nikoh Mitchell (1-0, 4.82) vs. Jr. RHP Bradley Spooner (0-0, 5.79)
Sunday: Jr. RHP Davis Moore (1-0, 4.09) vs. RJr. RHP Chase Maddux (0-0, 2.79)
Promotions
Friday: Clubs and Organizations Night
- Youth Jersey Friday - all youth (12 and under) wearing a jersey get in for free!
- First Pitch by Fresno State ASI President, Demi Wack & joined by other ASI Senators
- National Anthem by Trumpet Soloist and Fresno State student Angelo Liberinto
- All Students who are a part of Greek Life at Fresno State will get an exclusive "Saturdays are for the Greeks" tank top for free!
- First Pitch by members from Greek House with the most attendance at Wednesday Night's Men's Basketball Student Night.Â
- National Anthem by musical fraternity The Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha
- All current military members and veterans get in free!
- First Pitch by Jeff Colvin, a veteran who served in the Air Force
- National Anthem performed by The Bulldog Beat!
- Kids Run the Bases after the game!
• Fresno State begins its seventh season of Mountain West play this weekend hosting UNLV in a three-game series at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.
• The Diamond 'Dogs are off to a 5-1 start to the season after completing a perfect 3-0 run at the 2019 Tony Gwynn Legacy Tournament defeating Kansas State, No. 25 Cal State Fullerton and Missouri State.
• The only team in the eight-team Tony Gwynn Legacy field to win all three of its games, the Bulldogs' 5-1 start after six games is the third-best start under head coach Mike Batesole, only surpassed by 6-0 starts in 2011 & 2016.
• The 'Dogs lead the overall series over UNLV, 54-38 and have won seven of its last nine games over the Rebels in Fresno.
• The Bulldogs are 5-1 in Mountain West-opening series winning five in a row and are 4-2 in MW opening games.
• Senior second baseman Nolan Dempsey leads the team with a .409 average and has a team-leading nine hits, eight RBI, two sacrifice bunts and 13 total bases.
Fresno State vs. UNLV - The Series
• The Fresno State/UNLV series dates back to 1977 with the Bulldogs leading, 54-38.
• As MW foes, the Bulldogs lead 19-14 despite the Rebels winning four of six games over the 'Dogs in 2018.
• The 'Dogs are 9-6 vs. UNLV in Fresno since moving to the MW in 2013. The Bulldogs ended the regular season in 2018 winning two of three games at home, including a walk-off 9-8 win in the regular season finale. FS won one game apiece in '13 & '14, swept a three-game series in '15 and won two of three games in '16. The teams did not meet in Fresno in '17.
A look at the UNLV Rebels                          Â
UNLV enters this weekend's Mountain West-opening series with a 4-5 overall record starting off with a 3-3 mark at home and a 1-2 record on the road. The Rebels are fresh off a tough 16-7 loss to Utah at home on Tuesday afternoon as the Rebels took a 7-6 lead into the top of the ninth only to give up an astounding 10 runs to the Utes in the frame to fall under .500 for the first time this season.
The Rebels, who were picked to finish fourth in the MW, got off to a 20-3 start to 2018 only to finish the season with a 35-24 mark and a fourth place spot in the MW.
Led offensively by junior shortstop Bryson Stott, a Preseason All-American, the Las Vegas native leads the Rebels' offensively hitting .424 on the season and sits atop the team in hits (14), doubles (4), triples (2), home runs (4), RBI (9), total bases (34), slugging percentage (1.030), walks (10) and slugging percentage (.558). His 34 total bases enters Thursday as the third-most in the nation.
On the mound, junior right-hander Cameron Jabara has been sensational in a pair of starts tossing 13.0 shutout innings only allowing 12 hits, all singles, while giving up one unearned run, three walks and 10 strikeouts.Â
With Jabara getting the Friday night starting nod, junior Bradley Spooner will start on Saturday while redshirt junior Chase Maddux will start on Sunday. Both right-handers have a pair of no-decisions and have combined for 18 strikeouts over 19.0 innings.
Redshirt senior Jackson Cofer is tied for the MW lead and ranks third in the nation with three saves and picked up a win in the Rebels' 11-10 win over Seattle in 10 innings, while taking the loss to the Utes on Tuesday.
2019 MOUNTAIN WEST BASEBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Rank    Team (1st-place votes)   Points
1. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â San Diego State (4)Â Â Â Â Â Â 32
2.        Nevada (2)             29
3.        Fresno State (1)         28
4.        UNLV                         Â
5.        Air Force               14
6.        New Mexico            12
7.        San José State          8
'Dogs at home against UNLV
The Bulldogs will host UNLV to open Mountain West play after finishing the 2018 season at home against the Rebels. The 'Dogs have won seven of its last nine games in Fresno over UNLV and are 9-6 at home against the Rebels since moving to the MW.
April 5-7, 2013 - 1-2 [L, 9-8; L, 9-8; W, 5-3]
April 4-6, 2014 - 1-2 [L, 6-0; W, 2-0; L, 7-0]
Feb. 27 - March 1. 2015 - 3-0 [W, 10-5; W, 2-1; W, 4-0]
March 18-20. 2016 - 2-1 [L, 4-2; W, 6-2; W, 4-3]
May 17-19, 2018 - 2-1 [W, 6-1; L, 7-3; W, 9-8]
Bulldogs in Mountain West Openers
Now in their seventh year in the Mountain West, Fresno State is 4-2 in MW openers defeating San Diego State in 2013 and 2016, Nevada in 2014 and 2017 while falling on the road to UNLV last season and the Nevada Wolf Pack in 2015.
Â
• 2013 - vs. San Diego State - W, 1-0
• 2014 - vs. Nevada - W, 4-1
• 2015 - at Nevada - L, 9-8 (10)
• 2016 - at San Diego State - W, 3-2 (10)
• 2017- vs. Nevada - W, 3-2
• 2018 - at UNLV - L, 7-6
Fresno State in Mountain West home-opening series
The Bulldogs are also 5-1 in Mountain West home-opening series sweeping Nevada in 2014 & UNLV in 2015 before winning two of three against the Rebels, Nevada and New Mexico in each of the last three seasons.Â
• 2013 - vs. San Diego State (W, 1-0, L, 11-6, L, 4-2)
• 2014 - vs. Nevada (W, 4-1, W, 5-3, W, 11-9)
• 2015 - vs. UNLV (W, 10-5, W, 2-1, W, 4-0)
• 2016 - vs. UNLV (L, 4-2, W, 6-2, W, 4-3)
• 2017 - vs. Nevada (W, 3-2, L, 8-10, W, 9-5)
• 2018 - vs. New Mexico (L, 4-5, W, 5-1, W, 5-4)
Bulldogs knock off first ranked opponent since 2016
With the Diamond 'Dogs 5-2 win over No. 25 Cal State Fullerton last Saturday at the Tony Gwynn Legacy, it was the 'Dogs first win over a ranked opponent since knocking off then-No. 16 Long Beach State on March 29, 2016.
Dempsey off to a hot start                    Â
Now in his second season as a Bulldog, senior second baseman Nolan Dempsey has gotten off to a hot start sitting fifth in the Mountain West with a .409 average leading the team in hits (9), RBI (8), total bases (13) and sacrifice bunts (2).
New 'Dogs in action            Â
Seven Bulldogs have their debuts so far this season after freshman right-handed pitcher Kyle Pruhsmeier and redshirt freshman left-hander Robbie Peters each made their debuts in the 'Dogs 11-3 win over Kansas State last Friday.
Redshirt freshman right-hander Kevin Larson and outfielder Dylan Johnson along with three true freshman, infielders Ryan Higgins & Jeff Jamison and outfielder EJ Andrews, Jr. have all seen action with Larson notching a win and Andrews got his first career start against the Titans on Saturday.
Â
'Dogs receiving votes in the NCBWA Poll
The Bulldogs are receiving votes in the latest NCBWA poll released on Monday for the first time this season after its 5-1 start to the season.
Jensen reaches win total from 2018 after a pair of starts
Friday night starter Ryan Jensen has gotten off to a strong start to the season with a 2-0 record and a 2.45 ERA tossing 11.0 innings only allowing three earned runs and has struck out eight while holding opponents to a .220 average from the plate.
Batesole reaches 800 career win milestone           Â
Head coach Mike Batesole reached career win number 800 on Feb. 16 in the Bulldogs' 6-3 season-opening win over Utah Valley at Bob Bennett Stadium. Beginning his 17th season at the helm of the Bulldogs, Batesole has won 545 games at Fresno State and 256 at CSUN from 1996-2002.Â
In his career, Batesole has won at least 30 games in 19 of his 23 years as a Division I head coach and in 13 of his 16 seasons at Fresno State.
Ashford a hard one to strike out                 Â
Senior center fielder Zach Ashford has been one of the toughest Bulldogs to strike out over his four-year career. In 513 career at-bats, Ashford has only been sent down on strikes 76 times, or 14.8 percent, of the time.
Up next
Fresno State hits the road for a non-conference series at SEC foe Tennessee (9-0) next Friday through Sunday.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:Â
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateBSB
Instagram:Â fresnostateathletics
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Players Mentioned
Outfield
/ Baseball
Outfield
/ Baseball
Infield
/ Baseball
Infield
/ Baseball
Infield
/ Baseball
Pitcher
/ Baseball
Outfield
/ Baseball
Pitcher
/ Baseball
Pitcher
/ Baseball
Pitcher
/ Baseball
Pitcher
/ Baseball
Pitcher
/ BaseballBSB Los Angeles Regional Preview
Thursday, May 29
BSB MW Championship Final Recap
Sunday, May 25
BSB MW Championship Game 1 Recap
Friday, May 23
VB Read Across America Week
Saturday, March 08